If you live in suburbs or rural areas where deer plunder gardens, Salvias (sages) can be part of your plan for discouraging these hungry visitors. Here are some tips.

Mask smells that deer like with aromatic sages. Deer and other members of the Cervidae family, such as elk, mostly leave Salvias alone. One theory is that they don't like the fragrance or taste of sage chemicals. Strategically planting sages near vegetable gardens or fruit trees -- elixir to deer -- may prevent consumption.

Grow hedges including Salvias. Prickly hedges, including hairy-leafed Salvias and exceptionally thorny roses, can discourage deer from entering your yard. They don't like the mouth-feel of those textures. Tall hedges also hide strawberry beds and other yummy plantings from view.

Don't overplant one species. Grow a variety of Salvias in case local deer take an unexpected liking to one species of sage.

Fence deer out. Install electric fences or 8-foot wood or metal fences around particularly vulnerable areas. Make sure electric fencing is turned on during the peak feeding seasons of early spring and late fall.

Use motion-detection tools. Install outdoor lighting that is activated by movement.

Let the dogs out. Deer are especially wary of large dogs.

Surround and cover. Wrap tough plastic around the trunks of trees that have tasty bark and cover foliage with bird netting when trees and bushes are fruiting.

You can rely on a quality experience with Flowers by the Sea Nursery, because we:

Ship only large, healthy plants

Carefully package your purchase

Contract with UPS for rapid, safe delivery direct to your door and

Don't raise plant prices to artificially subsidize low shipping fees.

UPS rate structure makes it possible for us to decrease the shipping price per plant as order size increases. Also our advance order process lets you select delayed shipment based on available shipping dates. Remember, FBTS guarantees satisfaction.

We are continually propagating most Salvia varieties, to be able to ship to you plants "in their prime", ideal for planting out. Generally we maintain a relatively small number of any given plant in inventory. We can often grow larger quantities to meet specific needs. If you are looking for more than what we have in our current inventory, please contact us.

Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold'

Rated:

(Golden Bloodflower) Easy to cultivate, whether as an annual or tender perennial, Golden Bloodflower is a South American native that Monarchs and other butterflies love. Unlike Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), this species doesn't have a taproot. This means that it is easier to control the plant's spread.

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This icon indicates that the plant you are considering -- although beautiful and rewarding -- often is challenging to grow. As per our Terms & Conditions, we cannot unconditionally guarantee your success with these challenging species.

At Flowers by the Sea, we understand the pleasure of succeeding against the odds. We know how good it feels to help a difficult plant thrive whether it is a diva demanding plentiful humidity and rich soil or a chaparral plant that struggles to survive outside its arid homelands.

Some Salvias and companion plants need special treatment to approximate their native environments. If you live in a dry climate but love creating a rainforest atmosphere in your greenhouse, you'll find that some tropical plants are more difficult to cultivate than others. Or perhaps you are a water conservationist and want to develop a dry garden. Although many dry garden plants are easy to grow, some present difficulties, such as the need for gritty soils.

Maybe you are the type of gardener who enjoys a challenge yet knows how to reach out for advice when the growing gets tough. Please remember that we're always willing to share suggestions for improving your chances of success.

For more information about challenging Salvias and companion plants, please email or call us at Flowers by the Sea. We are glad to help.

Common name

This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion.

Golden Bloodroot

USDA Zones

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average.

This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.

Full sun

Soil type

This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage.

Average

Water needs

Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface.

Water loving

Pot size

This is the size of the pot your plant will arrive in.

3 1/2 inch deep pot

Container plant?

"Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant.

(Golden Bloodflower) Easy to cultivate, whether as an annual or tender perennial, Golden Bloodflower is a South American native that Monarchs and other butterflies love. Unlike Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), this species doesn't have a taproot. This means that it is easier to control the plant's spread.

In addition to the name Bloodflower, this species is also known as Tropical Milkweed, Mexican Butterfly Weed and Bright Wings. Whereas some forms of the species -- such as Orange Bloodflower -- have bicolor red-orange and gold blossoms, this one is a long-blooming bright yellow.

Golden Bloodflower does well in a variety of average garden soils, requires full sun and -- similar to other forms of the species -- tolerates heat. Although it loves ample water, average watering based on local conditions is sufficient. The plant's medium-tall height makes it a good choice for middle locations in borders and flowerbeds.

Monarchs lay their eggs on the lance-shaped leaves of milkweeds -- the only plants their caterpillars will eat. The roughness of fuzzy milkweed foliage makes it easier for eggs and chrysalises to cling to the plants. Monarch caterpillars consume powerful chemicals in the leaves protecting them as babies and adults against predators for whom the chemicals are toxic. Perhaps it is these chemicals that make deer avoid the plant.

In the past few years, much has been written about the problems as well as the benefits that Tropical Milkweeds present for Monarch butterflies. Butterflies adore these lush bloomers, which offer plentiful nectar and provide what is becoming scarce -- lodging for Monarch larvae.

However, where these plants persist outdoors during winter, Monarchs may not complete their migration to Mexico. This creates a number of difficulties, including illness, for the butterflies. The best way to avoid this problem in warm regions is to cut all types of Tropical Milkweed to the ground during autumn.

To keep Golden Bloodflower's roots from dying in areas with cold winters, you can cut the plant back before it loses its foliage and then transplant it to a container for overwintering indoors in a cool, sunny location.

Here are some guidelines for success with this plant in your garden.

Click on an individual icon for more detailed information.

Exposure

Full Sun

This plant needs or tolerates more than six hours of intense sunlight daily. Many Salvias only thrive in wide-open locations where they receive long hours of full sun. However, full-sun species sometimes tolerate a bit of partial shade. Or a Salvia that loves partial shade may be amenable to spending part of its time in full sun.

In general, this sun/shade adaptability shows up in Salvias that do best in cooler climates when grown in full sun and thrive in hot climates when partial shade is available. So full-sun Salvias sometimes are also categorized as partial-shade plants and vice versa.

Full sun

Heat Tolerant

This plant can handle extreme heat.

Full-sun Salvias that don’t like any shade are among the most heat tolerant. Heat-loving Salvias also are often drought tolerant. Moisture-conserving features, such as fuzzy leaves, help them stay perky at high temperatures.

Heat-tolerant Salvias are fine choices for western and southern exposures.

Heat tolerant

Growing Habit

Zone(s) 8 -11

Plant hardiness Zones defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture tell you the minimum temperatures a plant can withstand in your garden. The USDA divides the nation into winter climate areas from coldest (Zone 1) to warmest (Zone 11).

However, it is sometimes possible to grow a Zone 6 Salvia as a perennial in Zone 5 if you provide preferential care, such as winter mulching and a location sheltered from harsh winds. In contrast, a Zone 9 Salvia may act like a perennial in Zone 10 if given a bit of shade or extra water.

8 -11

48 inches tall

To create a harmonious landscape plan, it is important to consider the heights of individual plants.

Height also affects function. Short Salvias often make excellent ground covers that conserve soil moisture and discourage weeds while also brightening your yard. Medium-height Salvias, such as ones 36 inches tall, often are ideal border plants. A tall Salvia planted singly can highlight a landscape; multiple plantings can form an attractive screen.

48 inches tall

36 inches wide

By considering the width of a plant, you can determine how many to place in a row or what other plants to grow with it.

For example, a narrow, moderate-height Salvia may look good interplanted with bushier species, kind of like Mutt and Jeff.

In contrast, wide-spreading Salvias are economical for hiding lengths of wall and fence or for creating hedge-like divisions in a yard.

36 inches wide

Perennial

Plant this herbaceous species in the USDA Zones where it grows as a perennial, returning year after year.

After dying back to the ground at frost, herbaceous perennials emerge in the Spring with soft, new growth. A Salvia that is perennial in one region, may be an annual in another depending on local conditions, such as winter temperatures.

If you live in USDA Zone 5, for example, Salvias in our catalog cited as growing well in Zone 5 or lower will be perennial. Those cited as doing well in Zones 6 or higher may do well in Zone 5, but generally will act like annuals coming back from seed instead of the parent plant’s roots.

Perennial

Water Needs

Average

This plant needs regular watering based on what is appropriate to your local conditions.

In some extremely hot, arid climates, this may mean daily watering in Summer. Although many drought-resistant Salvias survive on little to no watering due to local rainfall and deep roots meeting their moisture needs, others need regular doses. The size and frequency of the dose depends on your climate.

Average water

Water Loving

This plant thrives on or at least tolerates lots of water, especially when soil is well drained.

A number of Salvias hold up well in areas where rainfall is a regular occurrence. Some even tolerate boggy conditions. These are usually top-notch plants for regions of the country, such as the Southeast, where summers are soggy.

Water loving

Blooming Season

Fall

This plant reaches peak bloom in Fall or flowers for much of the season.

It may begin flowering much earlier in the year. Bloom time for some Salvias lasts from Spring till first frost. Others begin flowering in Summer and continue into Fall. There are also Salvias that don’t bloom until late Fall and continue into Winter if grown in mild-Winter areas.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Fall blooming

Spring

This plant reaches peak bloom during Spring or flowers for much of the season.

However, it may begin flowering sooner. Some Spring-blooming Salvias begin flowering in Winter; others start in Spring, keep producing color through summer and may continue on into autumn and first frost. Still others flower only in Spring.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Spring blooming

Summer

This plant reaches peak bloom in Summer or flowers for much of the season.

Lots of Summer bloomers start flowering in Spring; others begin in Summer and keep up the show of color until frost.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Summer blooming

Wildlife

Butterflies

This plant attracts butterflies whether for nectar or as a host for their caterpillars. Some butterflies feed on a limited range of flowering plants and only lay eggs on one kind of host plant. Salvia nectar lures adult butterflies. Placing host plants, such as Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), next to nectar plants builds butterfly habitat. In exchange, the butterflies improve fertility in your garden through pollination.

Butterflies

Deer

Unless local forage is in short supply, most deer likely will avoid this plant.

It appears that deer dislike Salvias, in general, due to their volatile oils that make the plants so fragrant and savory in cooking. However, the only completely deer-proof plants are the ones grown beyond reach.

Testimonials

Flowers by the Sea is one of my favorite nurseries; buying plants from them reminds me of kennels that raise puppies in the house as family dogs until they are old enough to sell: these are well loved plants: well grown, well documented, well shipped. Pop them in the ground and stand back. I...

Katie Percy

I found the website very helpful and the descriptions were very good. It made me feel comfortable ordering and assisted my garden layout. The shipping policy was very clear, it allowed me to select when I wanted the plants to ship, again allowing me to plan. When the plants arrived it was very...

Laura Kueny

I recently purchased two Black Sage plants from FBTS. For me it was \"biting the bullet\" to order them. Starting Black Sage can be difficult and I decided to purchase plants instead. For the price plus shipping I was expecting to get a couple of small starter plants in 3\" pots. The day the...

Anthony Yeznach

Plants were healthy, packaged very well and shipped on time. Fantastic selection of Salvias that promises to keep growing. Will continue to order from your site.

Suchie

I received my Salvia in a very timely manner in excellent condition. It is growing very rapidly and is looking very fresh and healthy. I really appreciate the many different Salvias that are available through Flowers by the Sea. The collection is not available anywhere else, I'm sure. I'm so...

D. Chairez

I can't say yet how the plants will fare as I just received them, most are in the ground with three having been re-potted to keep thru the winter in the garden shed for planting next spring - but I can say these are by far the BEST quality plants I have ever received via mail order, and in fact...

Sarah Reagan

Beautiful, unusual plants at a good price. The service was great. I am very happy with my purchase.

Ginny Hersch

I live in Northern Illinois. The plants were delivered in a couple of days. They were well packed and in great shape when they arrived. I immediately transplanted them and gave them about 2 weeks for the weather to warm and for the plants to grow. I put them in the ground by the middle of May...

Peter Grant

Beautiful plants well packed for winter delivery arrived in great shape, thank you!

Chris Malik

I was very impressed with the careful packing when I opened the box with my blue anise sage! 4 out of the 6 plants already had beautiful flowers! One stem had completely broken off at the base. I emailed fbts and got a prompt reply that it would be replaced. I will order from them in the future!